Bush Administration Establishes New License for Publishing Projects in Cuba, But with Strings Attached

Interview with attorney Michael Krinksy, conducted by Denise Manzari

On Dec. 14, 2004, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control or OFAC added a "general license" for publishing activities to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations. This general license essentially permits collaboration of U.S. persons and Cubans in the creation of books, manuscripts, journals and newspapers for publication never before permitted by the U.S.

However, the regulation exempts any "agencies or instrumentalities" within the government of Cuba, but the Cuban Assets Control Regulations does not clearly define who or what that is.

The general license does not authorize travel to Cuba, permit activities solely because they are in written form, or allow the export of techology that was already prohibited.

Considering the increased travel restrictions enacted by the Bush administration, this latest regulation by OFAC appears contradictory and raises many questions. Michael Krinsky is an attorney whose firm has opposed the U.S.-imposed travel ban against Americans traveling to Cuba for the past 40-plus years. Between The Lines' Denise Manzari spoke with Michael Krinsky, who summarizes and interpets this latest OFAC regulation.

The new regulation, published in the federal register, is available on OFAC's website in the recent actions section at www.treas.gov/ofac.

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